Fluid injection device and method of using the same

A fluid injection device for injecting a dispensable fluid into a pressurized system containing therein relatively high and low pressure zones of a pressurized fluid, the fluid injection device comprising:

• a tube having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• the inlet end having thereon an inlet closure member which is connectible in fluid flow communication to such high pressure zone, and the outlet end having thereon an outlet fixture which is connectible in fluid flow communication with such low pressure zone, to thereby enable connection of the injection device to such pressurized system;
• the outlet fixture comprising an impermeable, rupturable membrane spaced from the inlet closure member to define within the tube a closed storage chamber disposed between the inlet closure member and the membrane, the membrane being configured to close the outlet fixture to fluid flow therethrough;
• a dispensable fluid disposed within the closed storage chamber;
• a puncture tool mounted within the outlet fixture for automatic movement of the puncture tool upon the outlet fixture being connected to such low pressure zone, the automatic movement of the tool being from a retracted, membrane-intact position to an extended membrane-puncturing position of the tool;
• and
• the inlet closure member being configured to automatically, upon being connected to such high pressure zone, move from a closed position to an open position to permit passage therethrough of such pressurized fluid from such high pressure zone into the device to dispense the dispensable fluid through the outlet fixture into such low pressure zone.

A method of injecting a dispensable fluid into a pressurized system containing a pressurized fluid, the pressurized system defining a relatively high pressure zone and a relatively low pressure zone of pressurized fluid, the method comprising:

• connecting to the pressurized system a fluid injection device comprising a tube having an inlet end having thereon an inlet closure member and an outlet end having thereon an outlet fixture, the outlet fixture comprising an impermeable, rupturable membrane which closes the outlet fixture to fluid flow therethrough and cooperates with the inlet closure member to define a closed storage chamber disposed within the tube between the inlet closure member and the rupturable membrane,
• the storage chamber containing therein a dispensable fluid,
• and wherein the step of connecting the device to the closed system comprises connecting the inlet closure member in fluid flow communication to the high pressure zone and connecting the outlet fixture to the low pressure zone;
• and
• opening the inlet closure member to permit passage therethrough of the pressurized fluid from the high pressure zone, to rupture the rupturable membrane and dispense the dispensable fluid through the outlet fixture into the low pressure zone.